Uma’s health deteriorated.

Uma’s eyes were open, and she saw herself lying on her bed. Shakti was standing in front of her. There was another man with Shakti, talking to him, and Arnav was standing to the side as well. Seeing all this, Uma softly asked,

“How did I get here?”

Hearing her voice, Shakti came closer and sat beside her.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Uma replied.

Confused and worried, Uma asked again,

“How did I get here? I was…”

Arnav answered her,

“Bhabhi, when I came home, I saw you lying unconscious downstairs. I immediately called bhaiya and then called the doctor.”

Shakti added,

“Yes, Uma, this is the doctor. But I don’t understand how you fainted—and the gate was open too.”

Hearing this, Arnav asked,

“Yes, bhabhi, tell us.”

In a soft and frightened voice, Uma said,

“Just after I disconnected your call, someone started knocking very loudly on the door. I got scared, so I ran upstairs to the terrace to see who was knocking… but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see anyone. Then I came downstairs and closed all the windows. After that, the noises stopped. I thought everything was over. But the moment I turned around, the knocking started again—much louder. I couldn’t tolerate it anymore, so I opened the door. And as soon as I opened it…”

“As soon as you opened it? What happened next?” Shakti asked urgently.

Trembling with fear, Uma continued,

“The moment I opened the door, I saw a pregnant woman stabbing a child with a knife. After killing the child, that woman started coming toward me. I was terrified—and then I woke up here. After that, I don’t remember anything.”

Shakti said in shock,

“Who could that be? When we came home, we didn’t see any blood or any child. Where did they disappear so quickly?”

Distressed, Uma replied,

“I don’t know.”

Seeing her upset, Shakti said gently,

“It’s okay, Uma. Maybe it was just your imagination. Don’t take stress. Just rest now.”

Uma nodded in agreement.

Shakti then said,

“Come on, Arnav. Let’s go outside and let Uma rest.”

Saying this, Shakti, Arnav, and the doctor stepped outside.

---

Arnav asked the doctor,

“Doctor, what has happened to bhabhi? Could she really have seen all this?”

The doctor replied,

“Look, I believe this is just her imagination. It seems like she is under some kind of stress. Otherwise, tell me—how can a pregnant woman kill a child? And even if she did, Arnav reached there shortly after Uma fainted. If such a thing had happened, at least the child or the woman would have been seen. And even if they escaped, there should have been blood or a knife there—but nothing was found. So I believe it’s all in her mind. Perhaps she’s worried about something.”

“So my only advice is—take her somewhere for a change. Don’t discuss things in front of her that could worsen her condition. I can only advise you; the rest is up to you. Alright, I’ll leave now. Thank you.”

The doctor left.

Arnav then said to Shakti,

“I think the doctor is right, bhai. It must be bhabhi’s imagination. You should take her somewhere. It’ll make her feel better.”

Sadly, Shakti replied,

“I can’t take Uma anywhere right now. You know the Commissioner has given me a case. If I don’t solve it soon, my job could be in danger.”

“But one thing I don’t understand—what stress could Uma be under? When I left her in the morning, she was happy. She didn’t look worried at all. So what kind of stress was the doctor talking about?” Shakti asked.

Arnav said,

“I don’t know, bhai. But I think you should talk to bhabhi. Ask her. Maybe she really is worried about something. And I feel she keeps thinking about Delhi. When I came home earlier, she wanted to tell me something, but my mother called me, so I couldn’t listen. Maybe she wanted to say something important…”

“Something what?” Shakti asked.

“Forget it. Just do one thing—talk to bhabhi and spend some time with her,” Arnav said and left.

---

Shakti went into Uma’s room, sat beside her, held her hand, and asked,

“Are you feeling better now?”

Worried, Uma said,

“That wasn’t my imagination. It felt completely real. You believe me, right? And this didn’t happen just today—it happened yesterday too.”

Shocked, Shakti asked,

“Yesterday too? What do you mean?”

Uma replied,

“I don’t feel good in this house. Every moment, I feel like someone is with me… someone is behind me… someone wants to talk to me. I’m very scared here. I can’t live here anymore. I wanted to tell you all this, but when you came home, you were already so stressed—I didn’t want to worry you more.”

Shakti replied,

“I never get disturbed by anything you say. And if anything like this happens again, come and tell me immediately. Now rest. I’ll bring something for you to eat.”

Shakti and Uma eat and then fall asleep.

---

One week later…

“Uma, where are my clothes? I’m getting late. Please give them to me,” Shakti shouted.

“They’re on the bed. Take them,” Uma replied.

Everything seemed fine now. Ever since Uma told Shakti about all the incidents, she felt lighter, as if everything had returned to normal.

Uma and Shakti were having breakfast together when Shakti received a call. He answered it.

“Hello!”

After the call ended, Shakti looked worried. Seeing his expression, Uma asked,

“What happened? Why do you look upset? And whose call was it?”

---

Who was the call from?